Flat Rock leaders back park proposal, consider tax increase

By Gary GlancyTimes-News correspondent

Published: Thursday, February 14, 2013 at 4:17 p.m.

Last Modified: Thursday, February 14, 2013 at 4:17 p.m.

Members of the Flat Rock Village Council voiced overall support for a proposed municipal park Thursday, but expressed concern about how to pay for the estimated $160,000 to $170,000 in annual maintenance costs the park would require.

Weighing in on the matter publicly for the first time during Thursday's monthly meeting, the council scheduled a special-called public meeting for 2 p.m. Feb. 25 to continue its discussion regarding the potential purchase of the Highland Lake Golf Club property for development of a future Highland Lake Park.

“We're not about to rush into a decision whether or not to buy the property,” Mayor Bob Staton said. “We're going to consider it and take the time that's necessary, but we can't delay it a lot because it would be unfair to the owners of the property who need to continue the operation of the golf course” as it prepares for high school golf season and individual club membership renewals beginning April 1.

Staton added that the village would have to be under contract to purchase the property in order to qualify for a $500,000 grant that the Highland Lake Park Exploratory Committee applied for from the N.C. Parks and Recreational Trust Fund, which is expected to make its decision by June 1.

The committee has given the council an estimate of $1.5 million to develop the property into a passive-use park – with no organized activities such as baseball, softball or golf – in addition to the purchase price.

The course is on the market for $1.3 million, and Henderson County optioned the property in 2011 for $1.1 million before abandoning plans for its own park and soccer complex there after citizens objected.

”To me, the initial capital investment and initial development part can be handled within our existing financial structure – the concern I have is the ongoing (maintenance) costs,” Vice Mayor Nick Weedman said.

He recommended the village begin discussions with Henderson County officials to determine what those maintenance costs would be, because “I think that's one of the things that needs to be understood before we make the commitment.”

Councilman Ron Davis added that he agreed with the exploratory committee's report that states the village should partner with the county in the maintenance of a park, though Councilman Don Farr – who cautioned that ongoing maintenance costs could present a “potential nightmare” - recommended sub-contracting with the county instead to ensure the village remains “top dog in running the park.”

Councilman Jimmy Chandler, meanwhile, suggested considering the city of Hendersonville as a partner and reiterated the need for a phased approach to development, while Councilman Dave Bucher offered the idea of partnering with the private business sector rather than the county.

Either way, Staton said the village has numerous options to consider, including a maintenance partnership with the current owners of the golf course. The council also threw a property tax hike on the table, with Weedman saying a 1-cent increase to the current 8.4 cent per $100,000 valuation would result in an extra $81,000 of revenue annually for the village. The increase would add $30 to $60 to most homeowners' tax bills.

“If we had to raise taxes to cover the operational costs (of the park), we'd be talking about maybe as much as 2 cents,” Weedman said. “Most of the homes here are between $300,000 and $600,000 – that would mean somewhere between $60 and $120 (per year increase) if you raise taxes by 2 cents. Most people I know squander that kind of money doing other things, so it's just not a significant cost.”

Council members praised the work of the exploratory committee, which made a recommendation for the village to buy the golf course property.

Village Administrator Judy Boleman concurred with Weedman's statement that the project has featured the most “open and transparent” process of any issue facing Flat Rock in recent memory, adding that “there has never been a greater effort in this village” to give the public ample opportunity for input.

Bucher said that among more than 330 emails, phone calls and survey responses from Flat Rock residents, 67 percent were in favor of pursuing a park while 22 percent objected.

Staton added that he has received nothing but favorable feedback for the park except for a four-page letter that Flat Rock resident and founding member Bob Demartini sent to the council. Weedman said Demartini raised several valid points opposing the project, including whether a public park is a want or a need.

Weedman said, “Clearly it's a want,” but later added, “You have to ask yourself: If we're trying to do things to improve the village of Flat Rock, is this one of the things that can do it? And to me that answer is yes.”

<p>Members of the Flat Rock Village Council voiced overall support for a proposed municipal park Thursday, but expressed concern about how to pay for the estimated $160,000 to $170,000 in annual maintenance costs the park would require.</p><p>Weighing in on the matter publicly for the first time during Thursday's monthly meeting, the council scheduled a special-called public meeting for 2 p.m. Feb. 25 to continue its discussion regarding the potential purchase of the Highland Lake Golf Club property for development of a future Highland Lake Park.</p><p>“We're not about to rush into a decision whether or not to buy the property,” Mayor Bob Staton said. “We're going to consider it and take the time that's necessary, but we can't delay it a lot because it would be unfair to the owners of the property who need to continue the operation of the golf course” as it prepares for high school golf season and individual club membership renewals beginning April 1. </p><p>Staton added that the village would have to be under contract to purchase the property in order to qualify for a $500,000 grant that the Highland Lake Park Exploratory Committee applied for from the N.C. Parks and Recreational Trust Fund, which is expected to make its decision by June 1.</p><p>The committee has given the council an estimate of $1.5 million to develop the property into a passive-use park – with no organized activities such as baseball, softball or golf – in addition to the purchase price. </p><p>The course is on the market for $1.3 million, and Henderson County optioned the property in 2011 for $1.1 million before abandoning plans for its own park and soccer complex there after citizens objected.</p><p>”To me, the initial capital investment and initial development part can be handled within our existing financial structure – the concern I have is the ongoing (maintenance) costs,” Vice Mayor Nick Weedman said.</p><p>He recommended the village begin discussions with Henderson County officials to determine what those maintenance costs would be, because “I think that's one of the things that needs to be understood before we make the commitment.”</p><p>Councilman Ron Davis added that he agreed with the exploratory committee's report that states the village should partner with the county in the maintenance of a park, though Councilman Don Farr – who cautioned that ongoing maintenance costs could present a “potential nightmare” - recommended sub-contracting with the county instead to ensure the village remains “top dog in running the park.”</p><p>Councilman Jimmy Chandler, meanwhile, suggested considering the city of Hendersonville as a partner and reiterated the need for a phased approach to development, while Councilman Dave Bucher offered the idea of partnering with the private business sector rather than the county.</p><p>Either way, Staton said the village has numerous options to consider, including a maintenance partnership with the current owners of the golf course. The council also threw a property tax hike on the table, with Weedman saying a 1-cent increase to the current 8.4 cent per $100,000 valuation would result in an extra $81,000 of revenue annually for the village. The increase would add $30 to $60 to most homeowners' tax bills.</p><p>“If we had to raise taxes to cover the operational costs (of the park), we'd be talking about maybe as much as 2 cents,” Weedman said. “Most of the homes here are between $300,000 and $600,000 – that would mean somewhere between $60 and $120 (per year increase) if you raise taxes by 2 cents. Most people I know squander that kind of money doing other things, so it's just not a significant cost.”</p><p>Council members praised the work of the exploratory committee, which made a recommendation for the village to buy the golf course property.</p><p>Village Administrator Judy Boleman concurred with Weedman's statement that the project has featured the most “open and transparent” process of any issue facing Flat Rock in recent memory, adding that “there has never been a greater effort in this village” to give the public ample opportunity for input.</p><p>Bucher said that among more than 330 emails, phone calls and survey responses from Flat Rock residents, 67 percent were in favor of pursuing a park while 22 percent objected.</p><p>Staton added that he has received nothing but favorable feedback for the park except for a four-page letter that Flat Rock resident and founding member Bob Demartini sent to the council. Weedman said Demartini raised several valid points opposing the project, including whether a public park is a want or a need.</p><p>Weedman said, “Clearly it's a want,” but later added, “You have to ask yourself: If we're trying to do things to improve the village of Flat Rock, is this one of the things that can do it? And to me that answer is yes.”</p>